Warangal fort – know about the architectural and historical richness

The Warangal Fort is another worthwhile tourist attraction in Warangal. This fort, built in the 13th century on the hillock Ekashila, is one of the architectural masterpieces of the Kakatiya Dynasty. Warangal Fort, built by King Ganapati deva and later by his daughter Rani Rudrama, represents the historical opulence of the region during the reign of the Kakatiya Kingdom.

It is a prominent landmark of Telangana State, located on the southeastern side of Warangal city, and represents a perfect example of architectural excellence and historical richness. The imposing structure of Warangal Fort, built in three layers of fortification to ensure absolute safety, impresses every visitor. Although the fort is now in ruins, the motifs, sculptures, stonework, and so on provide a glimpse of the mesmerizing craftsmanship and breathtaking artistry that can be seen in the motifs, sculptures, stonework, and so on. The Warangal fort has seen many battles, and some of its parts have been destroyed by various invaders.

Warangal Fort History

The Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva began the construction of the Warangal Fort in the 13th century. To some extent, the history of the Warangal fort is symbolic of the history of the Kakatiya rule. It was constructed after King Ganapati deva relocated the Kakatiya kingdom’s capital from Hanamkonda to Warangal. This fort is located 12 kilometers from Hanamkonda. Later, his daughter Rani Rudrama, who succeeded her father as Kakatiya ruler, oversaw the completion of this fort. Later, King Prataparudra II, also known as Rudradeva II, the last ruler of the Kakatiya Kingdom, added significantly to the Warangal Fort.

This fort withstood numerous attacks, resulting in the destruction of its various parts. During the reign of Prataparudra II, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji, launched an attack on the fort in 1309. In a battle that lasted months, an army of around 1000,000 men attacked the fort. King Prataparudra II and his army defended the fort at the time. Later, the Sultans of Delhi attacked the Warangal fort several times. This fort was eventually taken over by the Qutub Shahi Dynasty, and it was later ruled by the Hyderabad Nizams.

Warangal Fort Architecture

A discussion of the Warangal fort would be incomplete without mentioning its structural beauty. Warangal Fort has magnificent architecture. The fort is made up of approximately 45 towers/pillars spread across a 19-kilometer area. The ‘Gateway of Glory’ is the most appealing feature of this fort. This is one of the most frequently depicted Warangal fort images. This main gateway is made up of four massive pillars that have been carved out of a single rock. These pillars are approximately 30 feet tall and feature intricate carvings that are worth noting. These magnificent gateways, known as Kirti Toranas, are examples of South Indian architectural style.

Swayambhudevi Alayam, a temple dedicated to Mother Earth, is located in the heart of the fort. The Qutub Shahi Kings are said to have built this temple. Every visitor is drawn to its exquisite carvings. The Shambhulingeshwara Temple is another important temple in this area. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located directly across from the Open Air Museum. The open-air museum is located in the fort’s heart.

Warangal Fort has three layers of fortification. The fort had three circular walls that provided strong defense. During Rudrama Devi’s reign, the first wall of the Warangal fort was built. It is a 2.4-kilometer-wide earthen wall. Around this wall is a 150-foot-wide moat that served as the fort’s outer boundary.

After the mud wall and the moat, the stone wall was 1.21 km in diameter. This wall was constructed with massive granite stones that were tightly fitted together. This was accomplished without the use of mortar, demonstrating yet another architectural masterpiece. This fortified inner stone wall guarded the fortified central section. This inner wall was constructed by King Ganapati deva, but its height was increased during Rani Rudrama Devi’s reign. This 29-foot-long wall featured 45 massive rectangular towers. The inner side of the earthen wall has 18 steps. These stone steps provided access to various locations throughout the fort.

The third ring of the wall is a 12.5 km diameter mud wall. It encircles the current city of Warangal.

Remains of the Warangal Fort

Warangal fort has many ruins, particularly in its central section, which has been designated as an archaeological zone. The majority of the Warangal fort photos show this section. There are Shiva Temple ruins. There are also wall slabs, entrance pillars, ceiling panels, a mihrab relic, and numerous small shrines. The main deity of the temple, Linga with four faces of Lord Shiva, is kept in a shrine near the fort’s southern complex. At the new shrine, regular prayers are offered to the Lord. Ponds and small temples can also be found within the fort complex. These relics provide information about the fort structure and the Kakatiya era. Inscriptions on the pillars and walls also speak about the reign of the Kakatiya Kings.

Warangal Fort Timings and Entry Fee

Warangal Fort is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is open seven days a week.

The entry fee to Warangal is Rs.15 per person for those of Indian nationality. The entry fee for foreign tourists is Rs.200 per person. The cost of a video camera is Rs.25.

How to reach Warangal Fort

Warangal Fort is located in the city’s south-eastern outskirts. The fort is only 5 kilometers from the railway station in Warangal. Tourists can reach the fort by hiring an auto-rickshaw. There are also many city buses that run at regular intervals through the fort. Tourists can also reach the fort without difficulty by hiring a taxi.

Warangal Fort Entry Fee

 ₹15 per person for Indians

 ₹200 per person for Foreign Tourists

 ₹25 for Video Camera

 Sound & Light show at Warangal Fort Entry Fee

 ₹40 per person for adult

 ₹20 per person for Children

Warangal Fort Phone

0870 257 1339